Celebrating Community and Culture: GNS Hosts Third Annual Lunar New Year Event

The handmade dumplings have been folded, the lucky red envelopes stuffed and the Lion dancers stand at attention. Preparations are well underway for the 3rd annual Lunar New Year Festival at GNS.

On Monday, January 27, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. more than 300 GNS students, their families, staff and even some neighbours are expected to gather for the celebration inside the Thorau Gym on the Pemberton Woods Campus, to usher in the Year of the Snake! GNS staffer Sarah Hougen ’17 is one of the organizers. As she carefully slips chocolate coins into the last few lucky red envelopes, she says the excitement has been building for weeks.

“The buzz is electric. The Lunar New Year celebration has quickly become a favourite GNS tradition, an event that brings us all together with food, crafts and entertainment. It’s fun for the whole family”.

She says more than 20 GNS parents have stepped in to offer their time and expertise—running musical performances, organizing craft stations, pinching homemade dumplings and setting up interactive booths.

Sarah anticipates a little bit of chaos and a tonne of fun! She says Monday’s Lunar New Year festival promises something for everyone.

“Lion Dancers will kick things off shortly after 3:30 p.m. This will be followed by several special numbers—including piano and violin solos by GNS students, a musical quartet and singing performances. For those who want to try something new, interactive stations will be set up around the gym where you can play some Chinese Chess, try a ring toss, explore some traditional crafts and taste some bubble tea.”

One of the best ways we connect as humans is over food. Those in attendance will be able to sample a selection of traditional delicacies and even learn to make dumplings. 

This event is a great collaborative effort and a wonderful example of the participatory spirit that embodies GNS. Sharing cultural traditions fosters respect for customs and traditional practices; understanding is built and gaps are bridged—that’s the real purpose of an event like this one. 

The 2025 Lunar New Year Festival would not be possible without the support of more than 20 parent volunteers who donated food, ran the dumpling test kitchen, organized the decorations, lined up the entertainment and brought their best event planning skills forward. And a special thanks to the student volunteers whose unique talents and special skills have helped an important cultural tradition become a very special community event. 

All are welcome to attend the third Lunar New Year Festival at the Thorau Gym on Monday, January 27, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.